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Actually she had a Regional patch on her shirt! I thought she may have been a new Provisional, also.
I have to say that I sometimes struggle when I work as R2 at tournaments. The reason is that, when I am in my 'coaching uniform' I feel as though I don't command nearly the respect I would when I am in my white shirt (or the hated zebra stripes we still wear in Pa.). That includes not only from players, coaches, and fans but also the R1.
When we go to tournaments worked by officials who know me I feel much more at ease because I know they look at me as an equal, not as the coach whose team hasn't won a set in the tournament (yes, it has been a frustrating club season!). When I work with an R1 who doesn't know me I don't like to spout my qualifications during warmups. I did that when I first started our club but I always felt as though they really questioned my sincerity or ability. It always seems to work better for them if I just do my job and let them give me some props after the match is over.
However, inevitably there are always some officials who don't want to hear anything I have to say and rarely look my way during the match. I suppose I am guilty of that sometimes also when I work juniors tournaments. But it is usually obvious pretty quickly if the R2 is proficient in his/her duties.
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